The Ripley County Council held its regular monthly meeting and annual budget hearing on Tuesday, September 19 at 7:00 p.m. All council members were present with the exception of Bill Dramann. Auditor, Mary Ann McCoy and attorney, Neil Comer also were present.

The EDIT (Economic Development Income Tax) budget became a hot-button issue when introduced later in the meeting. Robert Reiners, president of the Ripley County Commissioners took the podium and explained the commissioners’ budget plan which had already been submitted to the council.
Reiners said that the commissioners’ proposed budget included $200,000 each year for the years 2007-2008 for EDIT. The council was requesting $450,000. Reiners, in an attempt to garner support for their plan said, “We are hoping the council considers our plan,” adding “We’re kind of between a rock and a hard place,” not knowing what road repair materials will cost this winter. The commissioners were asking for $500,000 to be budgeted for bituminous and stone for the highway department.

According to the highway department, blacktop has already risen $8 a ton since spring. Reiners reported that bituminous is also projected to go up $5-10 per ton. The highway department resurfaces approximately 30 miles of highway per year, and it takes 1,000 tons of materials per mile. Reiners stated, “We can show you a need for it (the extra $250,000) in the highway department.”
Council president, Donald Dunbar, questioned Reiners regarding $275,000 earmarked for roads from the governor’s Major Moves project. Reiners responded that there are a lot of unforeseen costs depending on weather and fluctuating fuel and material prices. Councilman Mark Busching countered, “What would you have done without the Major Moves money?” Reiners returned, “We’d have been in real bad shape.”

He went on to say that the commissioners had voluntarily cut $70,000 out of their previous budget to help the county and brought up the possible use of $850,000 in the county “rainy day” fund for economic development projects. Council member, Ed Armbrecht responded that “rainy day” money should be saved for emergency usage, giving as an example, “One capital murder case could cost in excess of a million dollars.”

Armbrecht went on to defend the county’s need for economic development dollars, commenting, “The easiest way for this county to get revenue is to provide jobs.” Reiners argued that during a question and answer session at the recent Ripley County Chamber of Commerce annual meeting, Shane McCoy of Honda was asked how much new development this area could expect in the first few years. Reiners said that McCoy answered that he did not expect a lot right away, but rather looked for steady growth over time.

In an effort to appease council’s desire for the commissioners’ participation in the economic development area, Reiners stated that commissioners would be willing to offer the help of the highway department in building roads for the new business complex. Commissioner Chuck Folz agreed saying, “With fuel costs and wear and tear on county equipment it’ll cost us $40-50,000.” Reiners assured council members that if the money was not needed for roads, the council could transfer it into economic development. He stated, “I’m asking the people on the council to trust us that we won’t overspend.”

Councilman Benjamin Peetz, in support of the council’s position, asked Reiners, “Is it fair to say that this community has the best opportunity for growth it’s ever had?” Peetz further stated, “People know where we’re at now. We need the money available for a quick-turnaround for interested businesses. We have to stress to them that we are ready.”

When the dust settled, Ed Armbrecht made the motion to pass the following budget for the commissioners:
* $113,908 - special project.
* $20,000 - park/fair grounds.
* $45,000 - tourism.
* $450,000 - economic development.
* $150,000 - bituminous and stone.

It was seconded by Mark Busching and passed unanimously.

Reiners, incredulous, said “I don’t understand what just happened here. That was not our plan.” Armbrecht fired back, “This appropriation doesn’t follow your plan.”

Pat Thomas of the Ripley County Health Department requested and received approval for the following appropriations:
* $5,000 for PHN public information - includes participation with Margaret Mary Community Hospital’s Tobacco Replacement Therapy program.
* $8,500 for EHS Public Information - includes smoking cessation, awareness, and education in local schools.
* $2,000 - Advertising for public health.
* $1,500 - PHN for public health information.
* $1,258.98 - EHN for environmental health information.
* $600 - Travel expense for nurse.
* $10,000 - Public Health Nurse operating supplies.